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Constab Pharmaceutical Develops New Tool to Treat Metastatic Colorectal and Other Cancers

CHICAGO, IL, June 3 /CNW/ - In seeking to: 1) maximize efficient delivery
of a cytotoxic agent directly to cancer cells, and 2) reduce or eliminate the
side effect burden on patients, Constab Pharmaceutical has developed a new,
targeted drug-delivery technology aptly named, Oncoshuttle(TM). With this
technology in hand, Constab has further developed a drug candidate named
Aimpila(TM), that combines the Oncoshuttle(TM) platform with a direct
apoptosis inducer (AI) capable of targeting and destroying cancer cells.
Aimpila(TM) has been investigated in animal models and in human pilot
studies with various solid tumours. Preliminary study results released today
at the 43rd annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
(ASCO), show single agent Aimpila(TM) was well-tolerated and produced major
objective responses in patients with liver metastatic colorectal cancer
(mCRC).
Study Outcomes
This study investigated the single agent activity of Aimpila(TM), a
glycoside/alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) complex, in patients with documented
late-stage liver mCRC. Patients received low dose Aimpila(TM) in an oral
capsule, twice daily for 8 weeks, and were examined using CT scans before and
after treatment.
Fifty percent (50%) of the 12 patients studied responded positively to
treatment with Aimpila(TM). Overall, 2 patients achieved a complete response,
1 achieved partial response, and 3 achieved stabilization of their disease,
which in two cases lasted for two months or more. Of the remaining patients, 3
individuals experienced disease progression, and 3 were non-evaluable using
study standards. One non-evaluable patient experienced nausea and vomiting.
Quote
"These are encouraging outcomes," remarks Dr. Mark Vincent, Medical
Oncologist with the London Health Sciences Centre, in London, Ontario.
"People with metastatic colorectal cancer, despite the treatment advances
already made, still face a limited life span. With an estimated 8,500
colorectal cancer deaths annually in Canada, and a staggering 56,000 in the
U.S. - the SECOND LEADING cause of cancer death in the States - it is clear
that effective treatment options constitute an ongoing unmet need."
"Aimpila(TM) appears to be well tolerated; at the same time the AFP
receptor seems to be associated with a wide range of cancers, but not normal
adult tissues. It is reasonable to suggest that quality of life could be
maintained or improved with Aimpila(TM). This drug complex certainly deserves
further pre-clinical and bioavailability studies, followed by studies of
larger patient groups in standardized, early phase clinical trials."
Current Therapeutic Limitations
Some of the current anticancer drug therapies for the treatment of
metastatic colorectal cancer offer improvements in survival time or median
time to disease progression, yet remain encumbered by:
- A lack of specificity to cancer cells, resulting in unwanted side
effects and damage to healthy tissues;
- A low ability to destroy cancer cells that are already resistant to
existing drug therapies; and/or
- A mode-of-action that prevents cell growth or proliferation, rather
than focusing on triggering direct cell death.
The Aimpila(TM) Difference
"Aimpila(TM) combines two different mechanisms meeting the
characteristics of an ideal drug: one of direct delivery through the
Oncoshuttle(TM) technology, and the second of efficient killing," states
Vladimir Pak, PhD, VP Scientific Affairs and CSO of Constab Pharmaceutical,
who is pioneering this innovation. He explains:
The Oncoshuttle(TM) direct delivery system is a protein (porcine alpha-
fetoprotein, or PAFP), that naturally binds to cells with alpha-
fetoprotein (AFP) receptors. In humans, AFP receptors are concentrated in
embryo cells during pregnancy, and in cancer cells. AFP receptors are
absent or present in insufficient amounts on the surface of normal cells,
such that anticancer drugs delivered via the Oncoshuttle(TM) would avoid
healthy tissues and potentially eliminate or reduce side effects for
patients.
In terms of "perfect killing", Aimpila(TM) is a complex of both PAFP and
an apoptosis inducer (AI). The Oncoshuttle(TM) (PAFP) releases the AI
load directly into a cancer cell, causing cell death.
Looking Ahead
"The next step will be to find investors to fund the comprehensive
pre-clinical program with Aimpila(TM)," reports Stéphane Gagné, President and
CEO of Constab Pharmaceutical. He adds, "In addition to testing Aimpila(TM) in
other cancers expressing AFP receptors, there is indication that Aimpila(TM)
could be used to kill cancer stem cells. Considering the impact this may have
on cancer patients facing drug resistance with current treatment options, we
plan to perform studies that will investigate this potential mechanism of
action."
About Constab Pharmaceutical Inc.
Constab Pharmaceutical Inc. is a Canadian biotech company with offices in
Toronto, Ontario, and laboratory facilities in the MaRS Centre, renowned as
the heart of Toronto's "Discovery District". Constab Pharmaceutical Inc. has
developed a novel targeted-delivery platform involving alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
as a carrier for anticancer agents. Since most cancers express AFP receptors
(AFPR), this technology could be used to treat the majority of cancers and
improve quality of life. The company is seeking collaboration and financing
opportunities in order to commence its pre-clinical and clinical program, as
well as licensing partners for its anticancer drug delivery technology.
Partners may include biotech and pharmaceutical companies seeking to improve
the efficacy or toxicology profile of their drugs, extend their patents, or
bring new small molecules to market.
Animations and further information on both the Oncoshuttle(TM) drug
delivery platform and Aimpila(TM), are available at: www.constabpharma.com.